Roanoke Times
                 Copyright (c) 1995, Landmark Communications, Inc.

DATE: FRIDAY, December 2, 1994                   TAG: 9412020035
SECTION: BUSINESS                    PAGE: A13   EDITION: METRO 
SOURCE: ASSOCIATED PRESS    The strong start to the Christmas season last
DATELINE:                                 LENGTH: Medium

RETAILERS SEE A BRIGHT FUTURE WITH CHRISTMAS, WINTER AHEAD